Strong-coupling of quantum dots in microcavities

TL;DR

This paper investigates the unique aspects of strong-coupling between quantum dots and microcavities, highlighting how semiconductor pumping alters the conditions for achieving strong-coupling compared to atomic systems.

Contribution

It introduces new criteria for strong-coupling in semiconductor quantum dot microcavities, differing from atomic cavity paradigms, and analyzes experimental observations to illustrate these differences.

Findings

Pumping in semiconductors affects strong-coupling conditions.

Certain pumping regimes hinder or promote strong-coupling.

Analysis of experimental data supports the new criteria.

Abstract

We show that strong-coupling (SC) of light and matter as it is realized with quantum dots (QDs) in microcavities differs substantially from the paradigm of atoms in optical cavities. The type of pumping used in semiconductors yields new criteria to achieve SC, with situations where the pump hinders, or on the contrary, favours it. We analyze one of the seminal experimental observation of SC of a QD in a pillar microcavity [Reithmaier et al., Nature (2004)] as an illustration of our main statements.